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Post by Woody Williams on Aug 12, 2017 5:03:02 GMT -5
Text for the Day -- Luke 18:18-23 ---------- A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.”’ He replied, ‘I have kept all these since my youth.’ When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich.
Devotional ---------- This story reveals that each of us has an attachment that makes a total commitment to God difficult. The rich man knows that there is more to the spirituality of the Kingdom of God than he has experienced. He is morally good and economically successful, but his great commitment is to his wealth. Jesus is saddened that this man cannot take the leap of faith and commit totally to trust in God.
Prayer ------- Show me my barrier to a deeper commitment, O Lord, and give me courage to leap beyond it in faith. Amen
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Post by Jamie Brooks 1John5:13 on Aug 12, 2017 13:28:47 GMT -5
Excellent point Woody that we all have some attachment to this world that makes our commitment to God difficult.
Notice that Jesus didn't tell him to give 10% to the poor and follow him, or build us a big building and come follow Me. Nope, he wanted it all gone. He wanted nothing between the young man and himself.
As Woody says, we all have something holding us back. I knew Him before I had anything. I gave 10%, witnessed, led Bible studies, men in ministry, but it wasn't enough. He wanted my total heart, nothing between me and Him. I didn't have to give it all away; He took it. He removed the barrier between me and Him as I could not see it, and didn't ask to see it.
If anyone would have told me at the time, I would not have believed it. What is it that comes between you and Him? Oh there is something, because you are human and vulnerable. Whether it's something stopping you from surrendering to Him for salvation or something that is keeping your heart from being where He needs it for His Glory.
We can be afraid to hear what it is. We may be clueless as I was. However, if you ask Him as this young man did, He will let you know. Every time I have asked him to show me the error of my ways, He's shown me. The problem back then was that I didn't ask. I thought I was doing everything that He wanted. I truly desired to be perfect, but of course failed and was blind to it.
Does He want you to give away everything? I don't know what he wants from you, and will never know. Only you will know and he WILL tell you if you seek it.
Even after 40 years of walking with Him, there was something that He wanted from me. As hard as I tried to guess what it would be, I could not see it until He told me. I was very surprised, but did exactly as He wanted.
He wants something from you all. He wanted something from me today, and I gave it. Much to my surprise, it was received.
What is it really worth to gain the whole world, but lose our soul? ...He asks.
Ask Him, and keep asking Him until He tells you. Like He told Job, brace yourself like a man Job, I'm going to tell you how I really feel.
Do it today.
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